Garment or ironing press



Nov. 27, 1934. E DAVIS GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l v l-.IlI-II INVENTOR ERNEST DAVIS M %M ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1934. E. DAVIS GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ERNEST DAVIS.

MJM

ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1934. E, DAv|$ 1,982,202

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ERNEST DAVIS.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES GARMENT OR. IRONING PRESS Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., 'assignor to The Prosperity Company Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 26, 1929, Serial No. 335,205 Renewed April 27, 1934 22 Claims.

This invention relates to actuating and control mechanism for machines having an opening and closing movement, as laundry, ironing and garment presses, and has for its object a particularly simple and efiicient mechanism for compelling the resetting of the manuals, particularly the manuals of a two-hand control. Another object is to provide a two-hand control mechanism and locking means therefor, by which, after the machine is closed and the control members locked in their operated position, any additional amount of pressure can be applied to the pressing jaws at the will of the operator.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic and vertical sectional view of one form of actuating and controlling mechanism for a garment or ironing press embodying my invention.

Figure 1* is a vertical sectional view of an auxiliary actuating and control mechanism for the preliminary closing of the press.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a pressing machine embodying the form of the invention shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a pressing machine embodying the form of the invention shown in Figure 3.

This actuating and control mechanism comprises, generally, a motor, two sets of control members for controlling the actuation of the motor, operating means for each set including a manual, means controlled by the movable member of the motor or by some movable part of the press, such as the operating mechanism, for holding the control members in their operated position, means for releasing the control members and means operated by the release means to positively reset the manuals so that the machine cannot be again operated if one manual is held or fastened down in its operated position, or-rather so that one of the manuals cannot be so fastened in its operated position and the press continued to be operated.

The motor here shown is pressure operated and hence the control members are valves. The pressure operated motor comprises a cylinder 1 having a piston 2 movable therein, the piston having its rod 3 connected through suitable mechanism to the movable element or jaw of the pressing machine which will be described.

The pressing machine here shown includes a movable jaw or head 4, a stationary jar or buck 5 60 mounted on a suitable bracket or goose-neck 6 which in turn is mounted upon a frame 7. The head 4 is carried by one arm of a yoke lever 8 pivoted between its ends at 9 to a standard 10 rising from the frame.

The operating mechanism includes the motor means and the parts between the piston rod 3 and the head 4, and in addition to the yoke lever 8 comprises an angle lever 11 pivoted at its angle at 12 to the base of the frame and having a forwardly extending arm pivoted at 13 to the piston rod 3. An upwardly extending arm 14 of the angle lever 11 is pivoted at 15 to the lower end of link 16, the upper end of which link is pivoted at 17 to the rear arm of the yoke lever 8. The arm 14 and the link 16 form a toggle. The piston 2 is single acting and the press is opened, when the pressure in the cylinder 1 is released, by countersprings 18, 19.

In the form shown in Figure 1 the controlmembers or means are normally open exhaust valves 20 and 21 located in valve casings 22,23 which are connected by pipes 24, 25 to a coupling 26 opening into a port 2'7 in the head of the cylinder 1.

The valve casing 23 is connected by a pipe 23 to a valve casing 26 connected to the supply line 28 for a fluid under pressure as compressed air. An intake valve 29 normally held in closed position by a spring is provided in the casing 27. The

valve 29 is operated by manual means which includes a manual as a lever 30 acting upon a stem 31 carried by the intake valve 29 and projecting through the casing 27. A check valve 32 is also located in the casing 27 and positioned therein between the intake valve 29 and the valve casing 23. The exhaust valve 21 is coupled with an intake valve 210 to act as a unit therewith, the valve 210 being in series with the intake valve 29. The

valve 210, obviously may be dispensed with, if

desired.

The operating or manual means for each control member or means, that is, the valves 20, 21, as here illustrated, comprises manuals or push buttons 33, 34 and the motion of each push but- 5 35, 36 are acted upon by a returning spring 41, 1

' 42. The intermediate levers 3'7, 38 are separable from the companion levers 35, 36 so that the levers 35, 36 are not held in their operated position when the intermediate levers 37, 38 are locked or held in operated position as will be presently described.

It should be noted, however, that the construction of the manual means for closing and opening the exhaust valve 20 derives no benefit from the fact that the lever is separable from the lever 37 because of the release lever 54. In other words, a push button 33 which operates to close the valve 20 and not to open it and a release manual 54 which operates to open or permit the exhaust valve 20 to open and not to close it, are the full equivalent in function of a single manual which performs both functions. The above applies when an intake valve 210 is operated by the manual or push button 34 and does not apply when the push button 34 operates an exhaust valve 21 only, whichis a form of the invention mentioned herein. The above discussion applies particularly to the form of the invention shown in Figure 3.

The means for locking or holding the control members or means or valves 20, 21 in their operated position coacts with the intermediate levers 3'7, 38, and the means here shown, comprises diaphragm chambers 43, 44 having diaphragms 45, 46 therein coacting with sliding stems 4'7, 48 which act upon the levers 37, 38 respectively. The diaphragm means which is particularly disclosed is merely illustrative of one form of means for hold- "ing the pressing jaws in closed position.

'The pressure sides of the diaphragm chambers 43, 44 are connected by pipes 49, 50 to a pipe 51 communicating with a casing 52 on the cylinder 1 which casing opens through a port 53 into the cylinder, the port 53 being located so as to be uncovered by the piston 2 when the piston. is approaching the end of its power stroke. The looking operation is thus controlled by the movable member of the motor, or any part of the motion transmitting connections operated upon .a predetermined extent of movement of the movable member or piston 2. The construction or operating mechanism of the locking mechanism per se forms no part of this invention.

Obviously, upon depression of both push buttons 33, 34 the exhaust valves 20, 21 will be closed and the intake valve 210 will be opened if this valve is included. Upon operating the lever 30, the intake valve 29 will be opened and air will enter the cylinder from the main line 28'through the valve casing 26 thereby opening the check valve 32, through pipe 23 valve casing 23, pipe 25 and port 27. When the piston 2 uncovers the port 53 in the cylinder wall, the air pressure will pass back into the pipes 51, 49 and 50 to the diaphragm chambers 43, 44 and thus lock the valves 20 and 21, in their operated position. If only one push button 33 or 34 is depressed, obviously, the air, instead of passing to the cylinder will flow out past the valve 21 or 22 which has not been closed.

The manual 34 operating an intake valve 210 cannot be' tied in operated position since air then would always be applied to the motor 1. This first manual 34 is then one which must be ac-. tuated for each closing movement of the press. The second manual 33 operates an exhaust valve only and hence is one which may be tied in operated position and the operation of the control means effected to supply air or working fluid to the motor means by operation of the first manual alone. With such construction it is only the second manual which must be returned to initial position upon operation of the releasing means to open the press since this is the only manual capable of defeating the safety two-hand control, and the returning of this manual to initial position in order to open the press renders the mechanism a positive two-hand control means which cannot be defeated.

To open the press the valves 20 and 21 are released of their locking means, by a release lever common to both valves. This release lever coacts with one of the intermediate levers 37, 38, it being here shown as coacting with lever 37 A release lever which is pivoted at 55 to the lever 37 by a one-way pivotal connection or stopjoint, so that the lever 54 is capable of an upward movement relatively to the lever 37, but upon movement downwardly, the lever 37 operates against the holding force of the diaphragm 47 to return the lever 37 to its initial or inoperative position. As here illustrated, the lever is formed with an arm 56 thrusting against the lever 37 and forming a one-way or stop joint therewith.

Obviously, when the lever 54 is depressed, it will move the lever 37 and the stem 47 to initial position against the pressure exerted by the diaphragm 45. The valve 20 will open because of the air pressure upon it and hence permit the air to exhaust from the cylinder and from the diaphragm chambers 43 and 44 so that the head 4 will open under the influence of the countersprings 18, 19. l

The means operated by the release means for positively resetting one or both of the manuals or push buttons 33, 34 comp-rises a rock shaft 57 having a rock arm 58 at one end arranged in the path of the release lever 54 and having a rock arm 59 at its other end connected by a link 60 to the lever 36. Thus, when the release lever 54 is moved downwardly it will not only actuate the lever 37 to permit the exhaust valve 20 to open but will also act on the rock arm 58, rock shaft 57 and through the rock arm 59 and link 60, push the lever 36 upwardly and positively reset the push button 34. The movement of the lever 37 to initial position by the downward movement of the release lever 54, causes the lever 37 to push against the lever 35 and positively reset the push button 33.

In Figure 1 anadditional cylinder 60 is shown having a piston 61 therein, the rod 62 of which is connected to the rear arm of the yoke lever 8 as shown in Figure 2. The flow of air to this cylinder 60 is controlled by a pedal 63 which through suitable mechanism closes a. normally open exhaust valve 64 and opens a normally closed intake valve 65, both located in a valve casing 66. The valve casing is connected to a supply line 67 and is also connected by a pipe 68 to a port 69 in the end of the cylinder 60. The motion transmitting means between the pedal 63 and the valve 64 is shown as a link 70 thrusting through a spring 71 against one arm of a bellcrank 72, the other end of which acts on the stem '73 of the exhaust valve 64. The exhaust valve 64 is cJnnected to the intake valve 65 by a stem 74 so that said valves act as a unit.

To close the press, the operator may first depress the pe'dal 63'so that the head is' brought down close to the buck 5 with no pressure by the piston 61 and thereafter heavy pressure is applied through the operation of the push buttons 33,

34 and lever 30; or the head may beentirely closed by merely depressing the push button 33, 34 and operating the lever 30.

In Figure 3, the push buttons 33 and 34 operate respectively exhaust valve 20 and a combined exhaust valve 21 and an intake valve 21. The exhaust valve 20 is located in acasing 22 and the combined valves 21* and 21 are located in a casing 23 which is connected to the main feed line 28 The motion transmitting mechanism between the push buttons 33 and 34 and the control valves 20 21 and also the locking and release means are the same as shown in Figure 1 and also the cylinder 1 and piston 2 are the same as the corresponding parts 1 and 2.

In the construction shown in Figure 3, it should be noted that the push button 34 cannot be tied down and the press continue to be operated because if this button were tied down, the intake valve 21 would be always open. If now the cylinder l is exhausted by opening of the exhaust valve 20, the air supply would exhaust or escape through this valve until the air pressure was depleted. It is clear, therefore, thatpush button 34 cannot be tied down and the two-hand safety control defeated. The two-hand control could be defeated by tying down the push button 33 if the return means described herein were not used. It is clear, therefore, that a successful and practical positive two-hand control is obtained, which cannot be defeated and the press operated with one hand by tying down a push button, if the return mechanism which returns the push button to up or initial position is applied to the mechanism controlling the exhaust valve 20 Figures 3 and 4 show the invention as applied to an ordinary pressing machine having merely an opening and closing movement, and having no light or zero pressure closing movement effected by the pedal 63 in Figure 1. Also, in the forms shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake valve 21 is opened by one of the push buttons as the push button 34 and there is no additional intake valve 29 and manual 30 therefor.

In the Figures 3 and 4, the operator merely depresses the push button 33 and 3d so that the air is free to enter the cylinder 1 and actuate the piston 2 therein to close the head 4 under heavy pressure on the buck 5 the press, the release lever 54 exactly like the lever 54 in Figure 1, is operated.

This invention is particularly advantageous in that one or both manuals of a two hand control must be positively reset before the press or machine can be again operated and closed.

What I claim is:

l. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, motor means having a movable member, two control means both of which must be retained in operated position at the same time for controlling the actuation of the motor means, a manual operatively connected with each control means, means actuated upon a predetermined movement of the movable member of the motor means for holding the control means in their operated positions, means for releasing the control means, and means operated by the releasing means for positively resetting both manuals.

2. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, motor means having a movable member, two control means both of which must be retained in operated position at the same time for controlling the actuation of the motor means, a manual operatively connected with each control means, means actuated upon a predetermined movement of the movable member of the motor means for holding the control means in their operated positions, means for releasing the To open control means including a single operating part, and means operated thereby for positively resetting both manuals.

3. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, a motor having a movable member, two control means both of which must be held in operated position at the same time for controlling the' actuation of the motor; a manual for each control means, and a motion transmitting connection between each manual and its companion control means; means actuated upon a predetermined movement of the movable member of the motor for holding the control means in their operated positions and acting on the motion transmitting connection associated with each manual, means for releasing the control means and acting on the motion transmitting connection associated with each manual to actuate the same and also to positively reset the manuals and connections.

4. A garment or ironing press comprising,'in combination, a motor having a movable member, two control means both of which must be held in operated position at the same time for controlling the actuation of the motor, a manual for each control means, a motion transmitting connection between each manual and its companion control means, means actuated upon a predetermined movement of the movable motor member for holding the control means in their operated positions and acting on the motion transmitting connections associated with each manual, a single operator-operated member for releasing the control means, the single member coacting with the motion transmitting connection of one of the manuals to actuate said connections .and reset the manual, and means between said release member and the motion transmitthe motor, a manual for the control member, a a

motion transmitting connection between the manual and the control member including an intermediate lever separable from the control member, means controlled by the movable motor member and coacting with said lever for holding the control member in its operated position, and a release lever pivotally connected to said intermediate lever by a one-way pivotal connection to release the holding means and reset the manual.

6. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, a motor having a movable member, two control means for controlling the actuation of the motor, a manual for each control means, a motion transmitting connection between each manual and its companion control means, means controlled by the movable motor member for holding the control members in their opera-ted positions and acting on the connection associated with each manual, a single release manual for releasing one of the control means, the release manual coacting with the motion transmitting connections operated by one of the control manuals to reset the same, means between said release manual and the connections operated by the other control manual to reset the latter comprising a rock shaft having a rock arm coacting with the release manual, and a second rock arm connected to the motion transmitting means coacting with said other manual to reset the latter.

c 7. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, a motor having a movable member, two control means'for controlling the actuation of the motor, a manual for each control means, a motion transmitting connection between each manual and its companion control means including an intermediate lever separable from the control means to have a return movement independently thereof, means controlled by the movable motor member and coacting with the intermediate levers to hold the control means in their operated positions, a release lever pivoted to one of the intermediate levers by a one-way pivotal connection, a rock shaft operatively connecting the release lever and the motion transmitting connection for the other control manual, a rock arm coacting with the release lever, and a second rock arm coacting with the last mentioned motion transmitting connection to reset the manual connected therewith.

8. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, a motor having a movable member, two control means for controlling the actuation of the motor, a manual for each control means, motion transmitting connections between each manual and its companion control means including an intermediate lever separable from the control means to have a return movement independently thereof, means controlled by the movable motor member and coacting with the intermediate levers to hold the control means in their operated'positions, a release lever pivoted to one of the intermediate levers by a one-way pivotal connection, a rock shaft, a rock arm carried by the rock shaft and arranged in the path of and separable from the release lever, and a second rock arm carried by the rock shaft and connected to the motion transmitting connection for the other manual to reset the latter upon operation of the release lever.

9. A garment or ironing press comprising, in

' combination, a motor having a movable member,

valve casings connected with the motor and havinginormally'open exhaust valves therein, a man- 'ual'for closing each exhaust valve, means controlled by the motor for holding, the valves in their closed positions, a valve casing connected with themotorand adapted to be connected with afeed line, a normally closed intake valve in the casing, and a manual for operating the intake alve.

10'. "A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperative pressing jaws; operting mechanism therefor including motor torfmeans; apair of manuals connected with the controlmeans and both of which must be actu ated to operate the control means to efiectively supply working fluid to the motor'means; mech-' nism'to lock the pressing jaws in closed position;

and means, releasing the locking mechanism and I positively resetting both control manuals.

11. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperative pressing jaws; operating mechanism therefor including motor means; apair of independently operable control means, both of which must be actuated to effectively supply working fluid to the motor means; a manual for each of the control means mechanism to lock the pressing jaws in closed position; and means to release the locking mechanism to positively reset both control manuals into inoperative position. i

12. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperative pressing jaws; operatmeans; means to control the operation of the moing mechanism therefor including motor means; means to control the operation of the motor means; a pair of manuals operatively connected with the control means and both of which must be actuated to operate the control means to effectively supply working fluid to the motor means; mechanism controlled by the operating mechanism for locking the pressing jaws in closed position; and means to release the locking mechanism and to positively reset both control manuals toinoperative position.

13. A garment or ironing press having cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism connected with the movable jaw including motor means, control means connected with the motor means to energize the same and close the press, manual means operatively connected with the control means and separable therefrom so as to control the closing of the press only, said manual means including a first manual, manual means connected with the control means to energize the motor means so as to control the opening and the closing of the press including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands, and means operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the operating mechanism to hold th control means in operated position.

14. A garment or ironing press having cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism connected with the movable jaw including motor means, a closed intake valve connected with the motor means, manual means operatively connected with the intake valve and separable therefrom so as to control the opening of the intake valve only, said manual means including a first manual, an open exhaust valve connected with the motor means, manual means connected with the exhaust valve to close and open the valve including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands, and means to hold the valves in operated position.

15. A garment or ironing press having cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism connected with the movable jaw including motor means, a closed intake valve connected with the motor means, manual means operatively connected with the intake valve and separable therefromso as to control the opening of themtake valve only, said manual means including a first manual, an open exhaust'valve connected with the motor means, manual means connected with the exhaust valve to close and open the valve including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands,-

and means operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the operating mechanism to hold the valves in operated position.

16. A garment or ironing press having cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism-connected with the movable jaw including motor means, a closed intake valve connected with the motor means, manual means operatively connected with the intake valve to open the valve and separable therefrom-including a first manual, an open exhaust valve connected with the motor means, manual means connected with the exhaust valve to close and open the valve including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands, means connecting the manual means for the exhaust valve with the first manual to return both manuals to inoperative position upon opening the exhaust valve, and means operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the operating mechanism to hold the valves in operated position.

17. A garment or ironing press having cooper ating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism connected withthe movable jaw including motor means, a closed intake valve connected with the motor means, manual means operatively connected with the intake valve to open the valve and separable therefrom including a first manual, an open exhaust valve connected with the motor means; manual means. connected with the exhaust valve to close and open the valve including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands, and a release manual connected with the second manual to positively restore the second manual to inoperative position upon operation of the release manual to open the exhaust valve; and means operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the operating mechanism to hold the valves in operated position.

18. A garment or ironing press having cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other comprising, operating mechanism connected with the movable-jaw including a motor means, a first open exhaust valve connected with the motor means, manual means opnected with the second exhaust valve to close and open the valve including a second manual spaced from the first manual so as to require the use of two hands, an intake valve connected with the motor, a manual connected with the intake valve and positioned adjacent to one of the other manuals, means connecting the manual means for the first exhaust valve with the manual for the second exhaust valve to restore the exhaust valve manuals to inoperative position upon opening the first exhaust valve, and means operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the operating mechanism to hold the exhaust valves in operated position.

19. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, a motor having a movable member,

valve casings connected with the motor and having a normally open exhaust valve in each casing, a manual for closing each exhaust valve, means controlled by the motor for holding the exhaust valves closed, a valve casing connected with the motor and adapted to be connected with a feed line, a normally closed intake valve in the casing, a check valve in the casing between the intake valve and the motor, and a manual for operating the intake valve.

20. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperating pressing jaws, operating mechanism therefor including motor means; means to control the operation of the motor means; operating devices for the control means including a first manual which must be actuated for each closing movement and a second manual which may be tied in operated position and operation of the control means effected to supply working fluid to the motor means by operation of the first manual; mechanism to lock the pressing jaws in closed position; and means to release the locking mechanism and to positively reset the second control manual.

21. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperating pressing jaws; operating mechanism therefor including motor means; a pair of independently operable control means,

both of which must be actuated. to effectively supply working fluid to the motor means; a manual operating member for each of the control means one of which is capable of being tied down and the press operated by the other; mechanism to lock the pressing elements in closed position; and means to release the locking mechanism and positively resetting into inoperative position the control manual which is capable of being tied down.

22. A garment or ironing press comprising, in combination, cooperating pressing jaws; operating mechanism therefor including motor means; means to control the operation of the motor means; operating devices for the control means including a first manual which must be actuated for each closing movement and a second manual which may be tied in operated position and operation of the control means effected to supply working fluid to the motor means by operation of the first manual; mechanism controlled by movement of the operating mechanism for holding the control means in operated position; and means to release the holding mechanism and for positively resetting the second control manual.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

